By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – India Prime Minister’ Narendra Modi on Thursday shared ride with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu a similar gesture with Emmanuel Macron, reinforced a pattern of informal optics shaping India’s global engagements.
Mr. Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset, soon after was seen sharing a car ride with Benjamin Netanyahu, a brief but telling moment that has come to define his style of diplomacy.
Both leaders travelled together to a technology exhibition after the address.
Modi later posted on X: “After my Knesset address, PM Netanyahu and I are on the way to an exhibition which showcases strides made in the world of technology.”
PM Modi was received at the Knesset by Speaker Amir Ohana with ceremonial honors. Netanyahu, Opposition leader Yair Lapid and Speaker Ohana spoke in the Plenary before PM Modi’s address, demonstrated broad political backing for India-Israel ties.
He thanked the Speaker for the special honour and dedicated the ‘Speaker of The Knesset’ medal to the shared democratic values and enduring friendship between the two nations, in his speech.
PM Modi underlined cooperation across defence, agriculture, technology, and water management, and reiterated India’s zero tolerance for terrorism while expressed condolences over the October 7 attack.
He also reaffirmed India’s support for efforts towards peace, including the Gaza Peace Initiative endorsed by the UN Security Council.
The Jerusalem drive is the latest in a string of similar moments that have marked PM Modi’s recent engagements with global leaders.
He travelled with French President Emmanuel Macron to the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai. In September 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were seen heading together to a key bilateral meeting.
Modi personally received Putin at New Delhi’s Palam Airport before the two drove to his official residence.
Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II drove PM Modi to a museum in Amman, on December 16, 2025 while in Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali escorted him from the airport to his hotel.
He also shared a ride with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in October 2025, Modi had remarked that India-UK ties were “on the move” and “filled with great vigour”.
